Airport Crimes ◊ Over 25 Years of Experience
In the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, airport officials and police officers have taken an aggressive posture toward suspected criminal activity in the nation's airports, including the two major airports in Queens County. New York has enacted some of the toughest gun laws in the country and unlawful firearms possession in airports can carry substantial penalties. Additionally, the overzealous behavior of airport law enforcement officers can lead to improper charges involving drugs or controlled substances, as well as allegations of disturbing the peace or other similar conduct.
When you have been charged with a crime at or in the vicinity of one of the Queens County airports, you want an experienced lawyer to protect your interests. At The Law Office of Estelle Roond, in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, we have defended people throughout the New York City metropolitan area on criminal charges since 1985. We have extensive experience handling the defense of airport crimes and can quickly evaluate your case and identify the best strategies for your defense. Take advantage of our proven record of success and call 718-596-4800 or contact Estelle Roond by e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation.
Defending You Against an Arrest for Airport Crime
We aggressively defend people who have been subjected to arrest on gun charges at one of the airports in Queens County, handling cases involving:
- Possession of a concealed weapon
- Possession of unlawful or stolen weapons
- Illegal sale of weapons, including assault weapons
- Unlawful discharge of a firearm
- The use of weapons in self-defense
Our goal in all airport crimes cases will be the reduction or dismissal of all charges against you. We will fully review the facts, evidence and circumstances of your case to identify all possible defenses, including the violation of your constitutional rights. We will determine whether there was probable cause for any search, seizure or arrest, whether evidence was properly obtained, and whether you were notified of your rights before making any statements to arresting officers.
If you have been stopped, detained, searched, arrested, or given a citation (a notice to appear in court), while you were at Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport, it is important to promptly retain a criminal defense attorney.
Routine detentions and searches at security checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) "routinely" result in arrests of people who have never been in trouble with the law. The consequences can be severe and you certainly want to do everything you can to protect your constitutional and statutory rights. Airport Criminal Lawyer Estelle Roond has the experience in handling hundreds of these cases and can be your advantage in court.
Ms. Roond is an experienced airport crimes Criminal Lawyer, and can provide you a significant tactical advantage in dealing with your arrest at the airport.
Below are types of airport charges that Ms. Roond has handled in criminal courts:
DRUGS AT THE AIRPORT
Cocaine, Crack, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Marijuana, Medical Marijuana, Mushrooms, Ecstasy/MDMA, Syringes, Pipes, etc.
If you are found in possession of drugs at the airport, you are subject to arrest for felony and /or misdemeanor criminal charges. Although drug charges may lead to jail or prison sentences, there may be other alternative available to you. It is important to find the best legal representation to protect your rights. Ms. Roond provides her clients the best options for their particular situation.
WEAPONS AT THE AIRPORT
Guns, Handguns, Pistol, Antique Firearm, Cane Gun, Wallet Gun, Sawed-Off Shotgun, Cane Sword, Dirk or Dagger, Knives, Kubatons, Brass Knuckles, Metal Knuckles, Black Jacks, Switchblades, Batons/Billy Clubs, Mace, Pepper Spray, Night Sticks, Nunchaku, Throwing stars, Shocking Devices, Explosive Devices, Explosive Agents, etc.
If you are found to be in possession of a weapon when you pass through a security checkpoint at the airport, you can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor. Jail or prison sentences are not uncommon. What are your options? What are the defenses? Who will look after your rights? Who has specialized knowledge in this area of law? Ms. Roond provides answers for her clients.
Subject to State and Local restrictions and guidelines, an individual may transport a firearm in your checked baggage. Due to a uniform firearm transportation policy throughout the country, it is highly recommended that you contact your airline or travel agent to make sure you are made aware of the Local and State Firearms restrictions and guideline for your departure and arrival locations.
It is not as uncommon as one would think that a firearm that was previously in a suitcase on a previous trip was inadvertently left in the suitcase while packing for your current flight.
If a firearm was left in a bag you are trying to carry onto the plane, it is considered a serious federal offense, and at your first opportunity to contact anyone, obtaining the services of a experienced firearm violation defense attorney & lawyer is highly advisable.
Some people make the mistake of forgetting to ensure their firearm in checked baggage is unloaded. Even a simple oversight such as this may be charged as a crime, and leave you facing prosecution. The regulations for having a firearm in checked baggage at the airport for your flight typically are as follows:
Firearms carried as checked baggage must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container and declared to the airline at check-in. Only the passenger may have the key or combination. Small arms ammunition must be placed in an appropriate container: "securely packed in fiber, wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. " Under TSA regulations, ammunition may be packed in the same locked container as the unloaded firearm, but airline rules may differ.
We understand that good people sometimes make mistakes, and when arrested and charged for that mistake, make sure your legal rights are protected.
PROHIBITED ITEMS AT THE AIRPORT
Firearms, Imitation Firearms, Frame/Receiver/Barrel/Magazine of a Firearm, Knives, Box Cutter or Straight Razor, Replica/Practice Grenades, Tear Gas, Taser/Stun Gun, BB/Pellet/Air Pressure/CO2 Pressure/Spring Action/Spot Marker Gun/Paint Gun, etc.
TSA (Transportation Security Administration) commonly screens for weapons, drugs and explosive devices in airport facilities. Other items also include tear gas products and certain types of razors. People who bring these items into airports (oftentimes unaware that they are in possession of such items) are subject to state and federal prosecution. Significant criminal penalties attach to these violations, including possible jail time.
A common explanation from passengers when the TSA finds a violation is “I left it in my duffle bag two years ago- I didn’t realize it was still in my bag when I packed the bag for this trip.” Nonetheless, after giving what seemed to be a plausible explanation, the police are notified and the person is “arrested” and cited into court for a criminal violation.
Ms. Roond has significant experience in dealing with this particular situation. Put her on your side to protect your rights. Experience counts.
FALSE REPORT OF EXPLOSIVES AT THE AIRPORT
The Penal Code prohibits a person from falsely reporting an explosive device at an airport. Today, there is virtually a “no tolerance” policy to this type of conduct. Even when it is readily apparent that a person’s statement lacks any credibility, law enforcement will still arrest and take that person to jail. Bail can be set at $100,000 or more for this charge, and the prosecutors have discretion to file a criminal charge as a misdemeanor or felony. Persons found guilty of this charge can be incarcerated in the county jail or state prison, depending on the circumstances. This is an extremely serious charge which requires legal representation to fully protect your rights. Ms. Roond can assist you if you have been arrested for a violation of this type.
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AT THE AIRPORT
Traffic violations have a way of turning into something much more serious at the airport. People are oftentimes stressed and in a hurry as they arrive at the airport. Many cases of people parking in a no stopping zone or even jaywalking develop into a criminal charge of resisting/delaying/obstructing a peace officer in the line of duty. In the highly-charged environment of the airport, law enforcement takes an extreme “no tolerance” approach to violations of the law. If someone openly questions law enforcement strategy while being contacted at the airport for a minor violation, a very low threshold is set for officers to arrest the person rather than continue to allow the person to “vent.” The arrest may eliminate the immediate “problem,” but often creates a new one when the person is charged with a serious crime. Having dealt with numerous cases of this sort as a prosecutor, there are ways to avoid harsh sentences in court. Ms. Roond gives her clients the best approaches in these situations.
DISTURBING THE PEACE AT THE AIRPORT
This is a very common scenario at the airport today. Anything from a disagreement at a ticket counter to a verbal dispute at a concession booth can result in law enforcement intervention. Any verbal outburst coupled with consumption of alcohol has the strong likelihood of law enforcement intervention. As mentioned in the prior section, airport authorities have a very low tolerance for anything which might upset the orderly flow of traffic through their airport. If a verbal dispute has the potential to slow down curious passersby in the vicinity, law enforcement is apt to move the dispute to another location. While oftentimes this has the effect of solving the problem, persons interested in “asserting their rights” to resolve the problem without police assistance, may be arrested. If I have been arrested for a charge of disturbing the peace at the airport, what are my options? Let Ms. Roond answer this for you.
HEIGHTENED SECURITY ISSUES
Heightened security concerns after September 11th, 2001, has led governmental agencies to intensify law enforcement efforts in airports across the country. Prior to this time period, various "minor" incidents occurring in United States airports were often handled informally. Today, law enforcement has what amounts to a "no tolerance" policy on airport misconduct, and cases are being pursued aggressively. Violations are oftentimes considered more serious by virtue of the fact that they occurred at the airport. It is serious business- anybody who walks through an airport today notices the incredible resources expended towards airport security. And that serious business continues into the criminal courtroom, where the stakes become even more significant.
In order to convict you of an airport-related violation, however, the prosecution must prove certain key facts. As is often the case, the facts required to arrest someone at the airport are not necessarily the facts required to prove the case in court. Although law enforcement might have the right to arrest a person in the airport, in some situations, if the case is effectively defended in court by an attorney, the charge could be dismissed. That is what makes legal representation in airport-related charges so critical. You need to know what you can do to protect your legal rights.
We know what to do if you have been charged with a violation at the airport. You owe it to yourself to get the best legal representation possible, from an experienced attorney who is familiar with your specific charge and the possible defenses you may have. Estelle Roond is that attorney.
Call 718-596-4800 now to speak to Criminal Lawyer Estelle Roond personally about any airport arrest or citation, or contact her by email at Estelle@Criminal-Lawyer.com
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